China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile operator, now boasts over 500 million 5G users, according to its latest report. By the end of May, the telecom giant had 502.6 million active 5G network users, reflecting the growing adoption of this next-generation technology. This figure marks a significant milestone, as it represents actual 5G usage rather than just subscriptions to 5G plans.
EE has announced the deployment of its innovative ‘cell sleep’ technology on its 4G network, aiming to significantly reduce energy consumption. This new technology allows certain 4G LTE carriers to enter a low-power mode during times of low demand.
French telecommunications giant Orange is reportedly exploring the sale of its 40% stake in Mauritius Telecom, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. While Orange has engaged with advisers on the potential sale, discussions with Mauritius Telecom’s board about a possible buyback have not yet occurred.
A major Spanish trade union has strongly opposed Vodafone Spain’s decision to cut over 1,000 jobs, prompting calls for strike action. The Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) has vocally criticized the job cuts, blaming the company, the Spanish government, and regulatory environment for the situation.
Everton FC partnered with HPE’s Aruba to upgrade networking at their new stadium. Exertis and OpenText have enhanced their partnership to offer advanced security solutions. NEC and Ursa Space Systems are partnering to integrate NEC’s SAR satellite monitoring with Ursa Space’s global platform. Ericsson and Tomra collaborate to improve waste management with traceable recycling technology.
Accenture has announced its agreement to acquire Fibermind, an Italy-based network services company specializing in fibre, 5G network deployment, and infrastructure engineering. This acquisition aims to bolster Accenture’s capabilities and extend its network services to clients in telecoms, utilities, and transportation sectors.
Samsung and MediaTek have successfully tested 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) technology over virtualized Radio Access Networks (vRAN), potentially extending battery life for IoT devices. The test, carried out in Samsung’s R&D lab in Korea, utilized Samsung’s vRAN 3.0 software, OpenRAN compliant radio, and MediaTek’s M60 modem-equipped RedCap testing platform.
Three UK has achieved a significant milestone in network sustainability through its collaboration with Ericsson, employing advanced AI-powered hardware and software. Over the past 18 months, the partnership has focused on modernizing Three UK’s network, significantly enhancing energy efficiency with cutting-edge technologies.
Singtel and KKR are set to invest $1.3 billion for a minority stake in ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), marking the latest significant investment in the data center sector. The companies will initially acquire S$1.75 billion (US$1.3 billion) in redeemable preference shares and warrants, with a plan to invest an additional S$1.24 billion once the warrants are fully exercised.
Nokia has deepened its collaboration with Google Cloud to streamline the creation of 5G applications. Leveraging Google Cloud’s advanced AI tools, such as Vertex AI and Gemini 1.5 Pro, Nokia aims to enhance its Network as Code platform.
